Steven Pienaar was the hero for the Toffees, as the South African international scored with this first touch of the game in the 59th minute to hand the Blues a 2-1 win.
A great ball from Ross Barkley on the right found Pienaar who delicately tucked his shot home to hand Roberto Martinez’ side the win. But for most of the game it was an even affair in difficulty condition on Merseyside.
Everton went ahead in the eight minute, as Belgian star Kevin Mirallas drilled a low shot from distance that looked as if it was drifting wide, but clipped the inside of the post and went in. But Hull City had some sub magic of their own, as Yannick Sagbo equalized before half time by rifling in a terrific finish.
The second half went back and forth, but the Blues held on to secure their fourth win of the season.
Everton struck early as Belgian international Mirallas fired a low shot towards goal in the eighth minute that snuck just inside the near post and left Hull ‘keeper Alan McGregor rooted to the spot.
After a replay, it seemed as though Mirallas’ shot took a slight deflection off Gareth Barry who was stood in an offside position.
A lively start for the Toffees was rewarded thanks to Mirallas’ effort but any moment they gained soon stopped, as Danny Graham went off injured and was replaced by Yannick Sagbo.
The Tigers were coming back into the game, and Hull equalized after 29 minutes as substitute Sagbo smashed home a great effort, USMNT ‘keeper Tim Howard had no chance with Sagbo’s blistering effort.The ball was pulled back from the byline, and the French attacker finished superbly after being on the pitch for less than 10 minutes. Hull’s equalizer was fully deserved, as they created some good chances and looked confident after going behind early on.
Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku once again linked up well for the Toffees, with both having efforts to put the home side ahead
But the first half ended with the score at 1-1.
After the break Hull defended resolutely as wave after wave of Everton attack reigned down on the Tigers’ goal. Two solid banks of amber and black shirts stood in front of Martinez’ men and they found it extremely difficult to break the visitors resolve.
However in the 56th minute Ross Barkley’s superb ball from the right found substitute Steven Pienaar who had only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, before he swept Everton ahead with his first touch.
Magical management from Martinez, as they change changed in an instance thanks to Pienaar’s goal.
Hull didn’t give up though, as Curtis Davies saw his header flash wide as the Tigers looked to grab an equalizer, however Everton’s defense held firm on the Blues recorded yet another win under new boss Martinez.
LINEUPS
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Mirallas, Osman (Pienaar, 56), McCarthy, Barry, Barkley (Naismith, 80), Lukaku (Kone, 68).
Hull City: McGregor, Rosenior (Boyd, 66), Figueroa, Davies, Faye, Elmohamady, Brady, Huddlestone, Livermore, Graham (Sagbo, 16), Aluko (Quinn, 74).